The figures are huge: US$220 billion will need to be invested in non-fossil fuel technologies every year through the next decade, rising to $410 billion per annum in the 2030s.

Only these levels of investment in newer technologies will guarantee the US meets a goal of 80% greenhouse gas cuts by mid-century, as outlined in the government’s 2050 climate plan.

And the business leaders predict this will set the US in the right direction towards boosting the manufacturing industry, creating just under half a million jobs in the construction industry by 2030.

For central US states this would mean a huge wind farm roll-out, with solar dominating in the west, biomass in the mid west and nuclear along the Atlantic.

“Moving to clean energy will help mitigate the worst negative impacts of climate change and create enormous opportunity for American businesses,” said Steyer, who backed Trump’s opponent Hillary Clinton in the presidential campaign.

460,000 additional construction jobs could be created by 2030, with the number rising to 800,000 by 2050. Fuel costs would also fall as more efficient buildings and transport systems came online.